NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

Robert Heitner — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 16:08:35 GMT

You know what the problem is with Earl, 30 Rock, The Office and Scrubs? ... that lineup that IS NBC's comedy? uh.. oh yeah, I don't watch ANY of them! Count em.. 4! different comedy shows and I don't watch a single one of em! Talk CBS and we have something to talk about. How I Met Your Mother & The New Adventures of Old Christine are the funniest comedies on tv today, hands down. Two & Half Men is hold your belly funny if you're over 30 and the kids are asleep!. ABC has a few funny ones too and I'm glad JIM is back! Courtney Smith is the ONLY actress from that soap-opera show that is working in a family friendly show today. The rest of them are in .. well let's say NON-family friendly shows, if they're working at all.

NBC has Heroes. That's it as far as I'm concerned. Hopefully the fall season will produce something else worth watching besides Heroes.

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

anne kane — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 16:16:31 GMT

"complete with the humorous commentaries of past DVD sets"? There's a discussion on TWoP on your poor sentence structure. Do you mean the actors will be commenting on past commentary? Or that the commentary will be as funny as that found on previous DVD sets. Your blog could use some editing.

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

J.C. Reaves — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 16:41:20 GMT

Bill Lawrence is right on target. Nielsen's are a fraud. I would like to thank NBC/Universal for sticking with the Thursday night line-up. Of the four, Scrubs is my personal best. Character development has a personal touch. These are characters that you would invite into your home (Bob Kelso aside). Story lines have been very good and as strong as ever. Sorry to have seen Laverne go. I believe she was the only sane woman at the hospital.

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

Alan, Seattle — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 16:43:32 GMT

I never thought I'd see a line-up where Scrubs, one of my all-time favorite shows, was the one that I was least looking forward to. This is the best set of comedy shows since... I don't think there is a "since", actually. All four of these shows are unique, sharp, and funny.

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

Lana Poulliot, Winslow, ME — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 17:02:09 GMT

The Office: Dear NBC, please get Jim and Pam together, already. Don't jerk us around for years and years like you did with Ross and Rachel, only having them finally get together in the final episode.

Scrubs: What a great quirky show. Zach Braff is awesome. The audience would have been bigger if it hadn't kept disappearing and reappearing on different nights. It was hard to find. Sorry to hear that this will be its last season.

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

Rodney, Rockford IL — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 17:21:00 GMT

I hate to see Scrubs go, easily one of the best series in a looong while. Hopefully JD will get a nice big final revenge on the janitor.

I am looking forward to another season of My Name is Earl, it is also one of the best series in a long while.

Hopefully the people behind Scrubs will change their minds and keep it around, I hate to see it go. I have my DVR setup to record any episode on any channel at any time...

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

Eric Adams, Philadelphia, PA — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 17:50:32 GMT

What the Office has that few other shows have are characters that we can relate to. How many cannot relate to the bitter sweet romance of Jim and the unrequited love? Or know someone kinda like Dwight at work? Or have a boss that made you cringe like Michael?

And the characters are not one dimensional either. Michael though a total failure as a boss, is an accomplished sales person. Dwight shows surprising compassion and Jim may be a nice guy but he has a childishness about him that is not so pretty.

The characters on these shows grow and change, it does not return at the end to the status quo. So we grow with them and come to identify with each of them. The only other show that I know of that works as well and has such a good cast that interacts is How I Met Your Mother.

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

Phillip E. Banks, San Diego, CA — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 18:09:20 GMT

I too am sorry to see "Scrubs" go, but I am consoled with the return of "30 Rock"; this show keeps me awake past my bedtime, laughing...I think I even laugh in my sleep! Tina Fey is a treasure. One question: what will become of "Andy Barker, PI"? Maybe I missed that announcement...I watched all the episodes online but missed any Tv news concerning this show.

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

Ben Dover, FL. — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 18:17:30 GMT

is this blog about TV series or a chance for some anal OCD person to read and correct errors?... i.e. ANNE

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

Tim — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 18:23:37 GMT

Scrubs is the funniest show on TV, hands down. I have been watching it since the first season and will sad to see it go!

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

Kevin, Glasgow,KY — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 18:49:45 GMT

Robert Heitner, are you serious? According to Jim, funny? What about it is funny? The same plot everyweek, you know, where Jim does something stupid and has to hide it from his wife with the help of his other fat friend? Yeah, hilarious! Two and 1/2 men should not even be on the air! Why don't you just put in re-runs of Family Ties, Who's the Boss, or Full House b/c I am sure those are just as hilarious today as they were then...here's another show I am sure you would enjoy, Tyler Perry's House of Payne...get a life and a sense of humor.

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

Dave - Columbus, Ohio — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 19:08:35 GMT

Aside from Lost on ABC, the four comedies Thursday night on NBC makes the only other time during the week I carve out time to watch TV.

These are easily the best written, best directed and edited, and best cast shows on TV. All of them are smart, funny, have outstanding, round characters. And each is able to get you thinking while simultaneously making tears squirt from your eyes from laughing so hard. While I am a bit depressed that the best show on television - Scrubs - is leaving after this season, I have to give a big, hearty THANK YOU to NBC for keeping the most creative 2 hours of television back-to-back.

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

jane l, graham nc — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 19:14:28 GMT

the good thing about nbc's thursday night comedies is that they are all different from each other and have a point of view.

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

Sunny — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 19:16:28 GMT

I am a big fan of My Name is Earl but I think last season they went a little off track. To me Earl and Randy are Rocky and Bullwinkle, and Joy is Natasha. Anyway, the first season each show had more of a thoughtful moral. I hope they get back to the original formula. I still love the show and look forward to the new season.

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

Jeanne, Seattle, Wash. — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 19:16:35 GMT

I so look forward to Thursday night t.v. ~ it is my favorite night for television. I am excited all day at work so when I get home, I get everything done before Earl starts at 8:00 ~ I dont even answer the phone! I absolutely LOVE all the shows ~ My Name Is Earl, The Office, Scrubs & 30 Rock!! Love it, love it, love it!!

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

Your Mom, Cleveland OH — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 19:26:01 GMT

The Office and Scrubs are two of my favorite comedies of all time. It is just clever comedy, not like some of the slapstick dreck that is out there.
I liked the first season of Earl, but now I could take it or leave it. I still DVR it, but I am just not as pumped to watch it as I used to be.
I have never seen 30 Rock. I was not a big fan of Tina Fey's when she was on SNL. Maybe it wasn't her though, the whole SNL cast was kind of lacking at that point. But since there is alot of good hype surrounding the show, I may just check it out this season.

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

George Wenger,Boise, ID — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 20:10:47 GMT

I absolutely look forward to Thursday night as the high point of TV watching for the week! 4 terrific shows in a row - what a concept!
"Heroes"? what a waste! Great premise and promise totally wasted, and the finale left me completely flat. At least NBC gets the comedies right!

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

Les LEE — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 20:20:17 GMT

Lord help me! How anyone can call "The Office" a great comedy is beyond me. I've seen the original BBC series & the American series just bores me to tears.
"Earl" is pretty funny; many of the cast remind me of my younger days & "Scrubs" is the funniest show on TV next to "Two & a Half Men".

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

M. Papa — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 20:56:51 GMT

Sheesh, Anne Kane, give Gayle a break! I'm an editor and I wouldn't have been bothered by that. The poor woman is attending these conferences by day and likely typing updates for us at night--she doesn't have time for a full edit. It's a blog, for heaven's sake! Compared to the laughable typos I see everywhere else on the Internet, this is nothing to get worked up about--or be so nasty about.

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

Jason Denver, CO — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 20:59:17 GMT

I REALLY hate to see scrubs go. Its the only comedy I watch anymore.

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

Jake, Blue Springs, MO — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 21:24:20 GMT

What I love is the truly funny shows don't need a laugh track. My Name is Earl and The Office are the better for it; and completely hilarious.

I don't watch the other two shows. I went for Studio 60 over 30 Rock and am bummed about losing another smart show. Even though I've heard great things about Scrubs I never really got into it. By the way Mr Heitner, there is nothing funny on CBS or ABC.

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

J McHugh, Guam — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 23:05:56 GMT

Robert Heitner, you must have a couple of million Nielson boxes networked to your TV, that can be the only explanation for the "success" of 2-1/2 Men and Jim. I guess as they say, there's no accounting for taste, or sense of humor!!

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

Hannah — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 23:06:27 GMT

Les Lee, if The Office bores you, then it only goes to show how little sense of taste and humor you have. I'm sorry that there isn't an overbearing laugh track to signal you on when to laugh, and that you obviously can't appreciate original, hilarious comedy and spectacular acting. Lord help you is right.

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

Jeff B, Florence KY — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 00:03:04 GMT

I looked forward to 30 Rock this past season but gave in to my idiotic urge to watch Survivor instead. Not having Tivo, I was forced to make a decision. Well, with some extra time on my hands a couple weekends ago I went to the NBC website and watched the entire season of 30 Rock. I was impressed. Very funny stuff. I hope Alec Baldwin is back this season. But I have to say, the revelation for me was the peripheral character of Dr. Spaceman (pronounced spa-che-min). Absolutely hilarious. I never much cared for Chris Parnell on SNL but he really has created one of the funniest characters on TV that I have seen in awhile. I will still watch Survivor on Thursdays, but I will also be checking out episodes of 30 Rock once they're posted on the web.

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

James, Denver,Co — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 00:47:55 GMT

Don't leave me Scrubs! Don't go!

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

mommer, somewhere, outthere — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 01:01:41 GMT

all i have to say is that the office is so true to life, i find myself laughing out loud every time i watch it! this show is funnier than "office space" and will become a classic look at the american worker.

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

Kara, Alaska — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 01:27:03 GMT

NBC is not the comedy network it use to be, but then again since reality TV took over none of the networks have strong comedies. I don't care for 30 Rock but the other are funny! CBS is only good for drama and ABC isn't good for anything.

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

Robin c, Rochester, NY — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 01:40:35 GMT

I absolutely love scrubs, the office, and earl. so sorry to see scrubs go but i guess i'll try to get into 30 rock, this is the only show i've ever seen tracy morgan actually be funny on

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

Chase, Iowa — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 02:20:02 GMT

Wow, the new adventures of old christine, according to jim, and two and a half men are funny??? Just shows you that most mainstream COUGH brain-dead COUGH Americans need a laugh track to tell them what is and what isn't funny, you are the same people that allow crap like Wild Hogs and Norbit to make a gazillion dollars at the box office...

Oh and I am glad to see the Office make the Jim-Pam storyline a more latent plot-point, as the Tim-Dawn relationship was in the British version, I would have hated the show to get hijacked into some hokey Ross-Rachel, will they or won't they saga, hopefully the US team will resolve it as brilliantly as Merchant and Gervais did...

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

Ken P, Michigan — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 02:21:42 GMT

I echo the thoughts of those who will miss 'Scrubs', which has been without question the best comedy on tv the past 6 years. Earl is a very strong show, and in becoming a big Steve Carell fan in recent months, I plan to give 'The Office' a chance too.

As for the first comments posted ... if you never watch the four shows, why read an entire article about them and post a negative message?

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

EDDIE WRETCH, Portland, Oregon — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 09:24:57 GMT

"Scrubs", it reminds me of "Sports Night". It's one of those shows that critics and network execs. keep trying to convince us is funny when it sucks more than "According To Jim", and we all know what a horrible show that is.

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

C. Blackmon, St. Louis, MO — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 13:00:43 GMT

I enjoy all of NBC's Thursday night comedies. Without a doubt My Name Is Earl and 30 Rock are the best of the bunch. They are laugh out loud - think about them the next day - funny!

I appreciate NBC putting 30 Rock episodes on their website. That's where I discovered the show. I would greatly appreciate it if they would do the same for My Name Is Earl.

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

Rayden, IL — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 13:15:38 GMT

I LOVE Scrubs and Earl, the rest of them, not so much.

Say what you want about 2 1/2 Men, but that show is HILARIOUS!!! And According to Jim is pretty funny too. Although I do wish they would can the laugh tracks. Christine, BORING!

I agree with the fact that Nielson ratings, as with all the polls you see spun in the media, are a farce. New rating methods are sorely needed.

Please, to all the powers that be, keep Scrubs on the air, and FOR THE SAKE OF ALL THAT IS GOOD AND RIGHT, PLEASE CANCEL ALL REALITY SHOWS IMMEDIATELY! I am SO sick of every single form of stupid reality show trying to hop on the ol broke down rusted over dead bandwagon of reality TV. Plain and Simple Reality TV SUCKS! (although next big thing is pretty funny)

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

Ted Henderson, Fort Worth Tx — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 13:46:45 GMT

I too am a huge office fan, even though I thought I would hate it after watching the British version. After the first episode of the American version, I have to admit I became a snob and said the British version is better, the American is just a poor clone. But after the first episode I really began to see what genius the show really was, and then came the episode of the alliance from the first season and I said to myself that this is now become the funniest show on television. You need to really watch Creed he is truly the funniest part of that show.

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

Chris.J.R. — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 14:17:39 GMT

Scrubs has got to be the best comedy ever. The script is always full of wit and really goes to show the writers-actors are very creative and have good chemistry. I'm really going to miss it!

Well...Reruns on comedy central. *Sheepish Grin*

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

Joan Pell, Bethlehem, Pa — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 14:36:35 GMT

Someone grab the defibrillator!! My heart just stopped when I read Scrubs is signing off soon. Like many good things in life, I guess I took for granted it would be around a while longer. Now I am sad. Must go watch reruns on my Tivo now . . .

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

DPG — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 14:36:51 GMT

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

Josh Johnson — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 15:15:09 GMT

I've tried to convince friends/family/coworkers to watch Scrubs, but for some reason nobody ever did. Scrubs has been without a doubt the best show on TV for a few years now. I'm sad to see it go, but I guess all sitcoms come to an end. Scrubs should be on forever.

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

Liddy, Draper, Ut — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 15:22:37 GMT

I am so sorry to see Scrubs go. It's the ONLY show I take the time to watch on a weekly basis. I have to agree that it is the funniest show that has been around in years.

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

mom to be, AL — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 15:40:15 GMT

I absolutely cannot wait for the Thursday lineup of Earl, The Office and 30Rock to come back. I watch re-runs every Thursday night and still find myself laughing, no matter how many times I may have seen the episode. I'm not such a big fan of Scrubs anymore, but I'll be glad when it comes back. I guess I'm tired of seeing it on every channel during the week and it just got played out.

I can't believe people would choose to watch the not so original "comedies" on CBS over these shows!

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

Darryn D, Orlando, FL — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 16:01:29 GMT

Boy, people sure do get worked up about other people's opinions. I enjoy Scrubs and Earl but don't clear my schedule for them. They are quality shows. Couldn't get into 30 Rock, though. Just not that interested in the premise. SNL hasn't been really good since 1979 so a comediy about today's cast shows just isn't going to grab me. Never been an Office fan. But hey, I can see why alot of people like it. That's the thing about taste, each person's is different. For years I couldn't see what was so funny about Everybody Loves Raymond. It was, to me, just another show about a stupid, uncaring husband who should have been divorced by his wife years earlier. But people loved it.

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

Alethea H. Salt Lake City, Utah — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 16:02:26 GMT

The Office, Scrubs and 30 Rock are the best comedies on network TV. I will be sad to see Scrubs go!

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

Lisa, Virginia — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 16:06:02 GMT

All 4 shows are incredibly funny. Not enough is said about 30 Rock which has me laughing every week. I hope these shows don't go the way of Arrested Development. That was a great show and was canceled due to poor ratings. Maybe NBC should bring it back??

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

Julie, Nashville, TN — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 16:15:06 GMT

I love The Office and 30 Rock, and I DVR all the episodes. For those who don't watch them (and the others) but haven't tried, why not check out an episode just to see what you are missing? I decided to pick out a few new shows in the fall to watch at least one episode of, and 30 Rock reeled me in. Alec Baldwin is hilarious, and the ensemble cast is great! Easily one of the funniest shows on TV in a long time, and I hope more people will tune in next year to keep it on the air!

And for people critiquing the writing/editing, it's a blog, get over it. If you're that burned up about phrasing instead of actually paying attention to the content, don't read it!

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

keith — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 16:52:41 GMT

ken in ky and others who don't "get" Jim and 2 & 1/2 Men are just lame. Great characters, laugh out loud funny writing and the two hot/funny gals on Jim?

Scrubs and Earl are favorites as well. I couldn't get into the office or 30 rock but if others do, great. Scrubs has about run it's course of material, so glad it has a final season to wrap up.

NBC's Thursday comedies: 'Earl,' '30 Rock,' 'The Office,' 'Scrubs'

Jon Davis — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 20:11:53 GMT

Robert said, "Talk CBS and we have something to talk about."
Well actually no, we don't since I don't watch anything on CBS (although I once watched "Two & Half Men" and hated it, especially Charlie Sheen, who seems to be a big a jerk in real life as he is on TV). Give me "Scrubs" and "House" and anything else that makes fun of "Grey's Anatomy" and "ER".